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Author Topic: Custom made floats  (Read 1803 times)

mlappin

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Custom made floats
« on: November 02, 2017, 04:12:52 PM »

So have an odd one again, need a float for a cattle waterer. Originals were a 7” square block of styrofoam about 4” thick. I’ve thought about making one out of 2 pieces of 2” styrofoam, however being a moist environment I wondered about water or crud collecting between the layers. Also the originals had a thin plastic coating on em, not sure if styrofoam can become waterlogged or if it was to help it slide a little in case the float rubbed the side of the housing it’s in.

Tried round floats first for like a toilet, no dice, even rigged four up together, no good, Tried square floats, those work a little better since they have more surface in contact with the water immediately, still not good as a single doesn’t create enough lift to shut the brass valve, two side be side get a little cocked then wedge in the housing.

Have tried all the online stores, so far zilch. The original manufacturer of these waterer was local but went out of business decades ago. Guessing they are 40 years old now, metal tank but porcelain coated.
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Stihl 023
Stihl 362
Stihl 460
Sachs Dolmar 112 and 120
Homemade skid steer mounted splitter, 30" throat, 5" cylinder
Wood-Eze model 8100 firewood processor

HeatmasterSS dealer for Northern Indiana

coolidge

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Re: Custom made floats
« Reply #1 on: November 02, 2017, 05:29:14 PM »

Milk jug?
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mlappin

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Re: Custom made floats
« Reply #2 on: November 02, 2017, 05:37:32 PM »

Milk jug?

LOL, too big. Also needs to thread onto a rod.

However interesting suggestion, if I could find a square container the correct size, then fill it with foam possibly so it was a bit more rigid.
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Stihl 023
Stihl 362
Stihl 460
Sachs Dolmar 112 and 120
Homemade skid steer mounted splitter, 30" throat, 5" cylinder
Wood-Eze model 8100 firewood processor

HeatmasterSS dealer for Northern Indiana

mlappin

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Re: Custom made floats
« Reply #3 on: November 02, 2017, 07:51:18 PM »

Duh, I just need to find a tupperware container the correct size then seal the lid on with aquarium sealant or something similar.
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Stihl 023
Stihl 362
Stihl 460
Sachs Dolmar 112 and 120
Homemade skid steer mounted splitter, 30" throat, 5" cylinder
Wood-Eze model 8100 firewood processor

HeatmasterSS dealer for Northern Indiana

wreckit87

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Re: Custom made floats
« Reply #4 on: November 05, 2017, 08:12:52 AM »

Had to build one for a waterer about 5 years ago also. Ended up using an old 1lb LP cylinder. Drilled the core out and rinsed the tank, then welded the hole shut and welded a nut on the mouth to thread on to the shaft. The old man hasn't said anything so I assume it's still working fine
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mlappin

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Re: Custom made floats
« Reply #5 on: November 05, 2017, 09:27:41 AM »

Had to build one for a waterer about 5 years ago also. Ended up using an old 1lb LP cylinder. Drilled the core out and rinsed the tank, then welded the hole shut and welded a nut on the mouth to thread on to the shaft. The old man hasn't said anything so I assume it's still working fine

What I should have done when I rebuilt this one was make the housing longer that the valve and float reside in so I could have used a longer rod on the float valve, the longer the rod the more mechanical advantage the float has.
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Stihl 023
Stihl 362
Stihl 460
Sachs Dolmar 112 and 120
Homemade skid steer mounted splitter, 30" throat, 5" cylinder
Wood-Eze model 8100 firewood processor

HeatmasterSS dealer for Northern Indiana